Free Program to Join Multiple Mpg files Into one?

[sonicdeth]

Anyone know the best FREE program to join multiple mpg files into one? I know I can do it just command line/binary method, but I heard that's not good and can cause errors. Anyone know a good free joiner out there to nicely join multiple mpg files into one?

I have several mpg files and I need to author them into a DVD - but I don't want to re-encode them at all. The audio is MP3 320K format. I read that DVD Styler has the ability to create a DVD without re-encoding - however, I've read that for the audio it only supports mp2..... but then they do have mp3 listed under supported formats... so I don't know. If anyone knows of any other decent free DVD authoring programs that don't re-encode, please do tell. I just need a basic DVD with simple menu; 1 page menu, custom background picture and sound file, a little button at the bottom to just "Play" the entire feature.

[jman98]

MP3 is NOT in any way, shape or form legal for DVD. DVD Styler may simply mean that they can accept it as input and they convert it to AC3 behind the scenes.

I firmly believe that in regard to editors that you get what you pay for. If you want a free joiner, then you can't come back bitching if it sucks. VideoReDo and MPEGVCR can both do this correctly and will not re-encode your joins unless you make them do so. But they aren't free. I bought both years ago and never regretted spending the money. Heck, I bought MPEGVCR when it was EXPENSIVE to do so (much cheaper now) and I still don't regret that. There are free programs that can do what you want, assuming they work without problems, but I hold such programs in derision and I don't keep up with them.

GUIforDVDAuthor can do what you want for authoring and it's free, but the docs aren't the easiest in the world to deal with. If you don't mind digging through the documentation it can do what you want, but it may be more trouble than you want to learn how to do it.

[Wolfen]

Yah, what he said I guess

[manono]

MPEG2Cut2 (free) can append MPGs.

I read that DVD Styler has the ability to create a DVD without re-encoding

They (almost) all have that ability. Some authoring programs won't reencode under any circumstances but just reject your assets if they aren't already DVD compliant. Since your audio isn't allowed for DVD, at least that will have to be reencoded. Since you haven't given the particulars of the video, we don't know if it's already DVD compliant or not. And to join these MPGs, they'll have to be the same resolution.

I've read that for the audio it only supports mp2

You're in the US and for NTSC MP2 isn't allowed, although most authoring apps will take it. Anyway, you read wrong. It'll accept anything allowed for DVD. This also includes AC3 and WAV audio.

[sonicdeth]

Damn... I didn't want to have to re-encode anything. Will there be much of a quality loss in this MP3 to AC3 conversion?
I know all the mpgs are the same resolution for sure. They are all the same format.

[manono]

Will there be much of a quality loss in this MP3 to AC3 conversion?

Just in creating the MP3 the original audio already incurred a massive quality loss. But, no, reencoding it to AC3 won't degrade it much more.

I know all the mpgs are the same resolution for sure. They are all the same format.

OK, then you should be able to join them. But we still don't know if they're DVD compliant. The fact that the audio was converted to MP3 makes me suspect the video isn't. But since you haven't told us, I'm just guessing.

[sonicdeth]

MPEG2Cut2 (free) can append MPGs.

I read that DVD Styler has the ability to create a DVD without re-encoding

They (almost) all have that ability. Some authoring programs won't reencode under any circumstances but just reject your assets if they aren't already DVD compliant. Since your audio isn't allowed for DVD, at least that will have to be reencoded. Since you haven't given the particulars of the video, we don't know if it's already DVD compliant or not. And to join these MPGs, they'll have to be the same resolution.

I've read that for the audio it only supports mp2

You're in the US and for NTSC MP2 isn't allowed, although most authoring apps will take it. Anyway, you read wrong. It'll accept anything allowed for DVD. This also includes AC3 and WAV audio.

Is the way MPEG2Cut2 appends MPGs equal to that of just doing it via command line?

[themaster1]

"Massive" loss i don't think so, mp3 320 kbps keep all the frequencies of the spectrum even the ones not audible by a standard human ear. You can verify this with audacity (spectrum analysis tool)

If you convert mp3 320k -> dobly digit. 320k i'm pretty sure you will not hear the difference.

[sonicdeth]

"Massive" loss i don't think so, mp3 320 kbps keep all the frequencies of the spectrum even the ones not audible by a standard human ear. You can verify this with audacity (spectrum analysis tool)

If you convert mp3 320k -> dobly digit. 320k i'm pretty sure you will not hear the difference.

I think you're right. I know MP3 320K is essentially about equal to FLAC even... I doubt most people would be able to tell the difference.

[NoBuddy]

Like manono said, you still have to tell us if your mpg2 are DVD compliant. Please check via MediaInfo and post the specs.

[videobruger]

If you are planing on using DVDStyler there is no need to join your MPGs. It has the possibillities of either playing all titles in a titleset or adding titles as chapters.

[sonicdeth]

If you are planing on using DVDStyler there is no need to join your MPGs. It has the possibillities of either playing all titles in a titleset or adding titles as chapters.

Is there a way to have it do that and also have the menu 1 single page? With just a button to play all... rather than multiple pages w/ separate mpg's listed?

[videobruger]

@sonicdeth: Yes. I don't know where you get the notion on multiple pages. In DVDStyler you may either use a template or create your own menus. Or skip them altogether. The limit for a DVD is 32 buttons on a menu (Not specific for DVDStyler).

You may create a single menu with a single button to play several titles as each button in its property sheet has a check box for "Play all tiles". The button may be texual, pictogram, picture or video button. Or - if you know XML - may may define your own button.